An invitation to test the latest Jeep vehicles is always welcome! For pure excitement, 2012 will rank among the best model years for 4WD trail and highway gains. Both the Grand Cherokee and JK Wrangler now deliver unprecendented performance, the kind of world class, advanced technology that takes the brand to the next level…

From August 8th to the 20th, the press corps evaluated and tested the new Jeep JK Wranglers. The Sport, Sahara and Rubicon, including two-door and Unlimited models, were available for the no mercy on-highway and vigorous off-pavement testing that characterizes media launch events.

In the summer of 2012, the magazine tested and evaluated the Jeep JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited under a variety of driving conditions. To see the HD videos with close-up details and test results, click here!

We were told that this was the most responsive JK Wrangler powertrain and handling package to date, which proved true. Driving Oregon’s winding backroads through the hilly coastal range and Tillamook Forest, the press came away with praise for the engineering that went into the new JK Wrangler models…While the performance on-highway exceeds all JK Wranglers to date, there has been no compromise in this Jeep’s design intent: The JK Wrangler remains a world class 4WD off-pavement access vehicle.

In this evaluation of the 2012 Wranglers, you will get a firsthand sense for the gains. Among the most noticeable is the new 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine. That is not the whole story, though. The A580 automatic five-speed, designed for the 5.7L Hemi models, is now the automatic transmission of choice for this engine package. The combination is truly impressive, as are the gains in fuel efficiency and other performance benchmarks.

At a time when budgeting for a new vehicle is tenuous for many, the JK Wrangler offers unprecendented content, handling, performance and utility—each good reasons to consider this latest model’s design and features. As of this new model introduction, the JK Wrangler’s price points, despite all of these features, remains close to 2011 levels!